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A chance to have your name embedded on the basketball court

2020-04-06

The pride of the country – house of basketball is shaping fast. Fans from all over the world are invited to have their name embedded on a symbolic basketball court.

There is not so long to wait. Last year July at the confluence of the Nemunas and the Neris the future house of basketball was far from completed. “YIT Lietuva” workers with helmets and cranes have been working around in the fenced area, and together with the President of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) Arvydas Sabonis have had a look at the building’s skeleton. It was not possible to get to the first floor because the workers were working on the floor at the time. In eight months time, the picture of the future House of Basketball has changed significantly, and contractors estimate that there is about half a year left until the work is fully completed. If no difficulties arise, as happened in the first stage due to archeological excavations, an annual LKF conference is planned to be held in the Lithuanian House of Basketball in September of 2020.

“The most important thing is not to confuse that the building and the technological part of the museum are two different things”, – according to LKF Secretary General-Director Mindaugas Špokas, will be completed by the 2022, when Lithuanian basketball will celebrate its centenary. That year, Kaunas will honorably carry the flag of the European Capital of Culture, and basketball fans will celebrate another special anniversary.

“The pioneer of basketball in Lithuania is Steponas Darius. In the 1922 April 23rd, he played in the first basketball match in the history of Lithuania. Thus, this date is considered to be the birthday of the country’s basketball”, – said M. Špokas.

Interactive exhibition

At that time, Živilė Belejevaitė, the director of House of Basketball, presented the vision of what the already completed building would look like. James Naismith will greet all guests at the entrance to the Lithuanian House of Basketball. According to the original idea, the pioneer of basketball would stand near an oak tree surrounded by a semicircle. Other trees will continue to grow in the area, which will give a feeling of home coziness. This was the idea of the architect Gintautas Natkevičius.

“This is where the reception will be”, – Ž. Belejevaitė stopped at the main door, where all museum’s visitors will pause in the future.

From here, two ways will be possible. The first will lead to a café, the second to an academic hour tour of the museum. According to estimates by the director of the House of Basketball, it will occupy about 70 percent of the most modern building spaces not only in Lithuania, but also in the whole of Europe. A historic interactive exhibition will be set up on the first floor. Centre of the hall will have a console with screens that will tell museum visitors’ not only the global development of basketball, but also move them to the basketball court or place them into the stands next to the most passionate fans. The main trophies of Lithuanian basketball, won in international tournaments and remembering the biggest victories, will also be lined up here.

“We planned to start the tour from the ground floor, but our partners, world league professionals in their field – Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA), suggested another option – to go down from the first floor. We embraced this great idea”‘ – Ž. Belejevaitė continued the tour explanation.

Administration 

On the ground floor, according to the project, there will be five interactive stations where visitors will be able to test their reaction, jumping ability or accuracy. The director of the house of basketball did not doubt that both, children and adult visitors, would find it interesting and engaging. Additionally, conferences, various cultural events and presentations will be organised in the same space. Gatherings of basketball veterans will take place every week in the premises of the Lithuanian house of basketball.

“We plan to fit about 200 people in the main hall”, – due to large number, according to Ž. Belejevaitė, the requirements for ventilation and fire safety have been tighten.

Almost 2 thousand squared meter size house of basketball already has an elevator for the disabled. In the basement of the building, the sanitary facilities and storage space are being completed. As early as last year, the remains of a small basement of an ancient brick house were excavated here, which were decided to preserve. Outdoor parking nearby is also under construction.

According to Ž. Belejevaitė, several offices, a conference hall, a kitchen, toilets and a shower will be installed on the first floor. The entire LKF administration and the president will be located in the spacious premises.

Looking for a nutrition operator

House of Basketball has not only planned to include the museum, but also youth education – the first e-sports school in the country and summer camps.

“We plan to work with students aged 12–18, but if the need arises, we would be happy to work with younger groups, for example, from the age of seven”, – said Ž. Belejevaitė.

It is planned that in 2-3 years all Lithuanian students should have had a visit to the house of basketball, and acquaintance with the country’s achievements would push them towards personal victories, whether in sports or education.

“We have been asked many times why such project has been implemented in Kaunas”, –  reiterating the historical circumstances and current realities, M. Špokas did not doubt that Kaunas was the best choice. After visiting the Lithuanian House of Basketball and the museum in it, enjoying good food and a wonderful view on the cafe’s terrace, visitors will receive an additional package – acquaintance with some exclusive places of the city: Kaunas Castle, Vytis sculpture, Pope John Paul II monument, priests seminary, Town Hall Square, and the Žalgiris Arena.

“By the way, speaking of good food, we have started looking for a food operator and we are open to various offers”, – Ž. Belejevaitė imagined a cozy family lunch.

Nameplates

The construction of the house of basketball was started by Kaunas City Municipality, which provided the site and installed part of the foundation. LKF is continuing further work and is actively looking for sponsors.

“We are very grateful to everyone who has already contributed to this project. Without their help, it would not be possible to implement all the ideas”, – the director of House of Basketball thanked all those who contributed.

Among basketball patrons are Arvydas Sabonis and his son Domantas, Jonas Valančiūnas, joint-stock company “Aksa”, gas station chain EMSI, UAB concern SBA, brothers Arvydas and Rimvydas Povilaičiai, UAB Kautra, UAB Enerstenos grupė and others.

A gratitude was sent to every one who contributed, and those who contributed larger amounts will have their nameplates in the House of Basketball Memorial Wall at the entrance. According to the director of the House of Basketball, a total of 2.2 million euros were raised for the project.

There is a plan to install a symbolic basketball court nearby and to pave its pavement with 6 thousand brass pad. One hundred of them were offered by the RAA for the legends of Lithuanian basketball, the rest will be available for every basketball enthusiast who wants to leave a mark in this project and contribute towards the Lithuanian basketball.